The road to Tokyo 2020 starts at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre

Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre is hosting a Ticket2Tokyo Wheelchair Tennis Festival on Sunday October 18 giving everyone the opportunity to try this exciting sport for free and take their first shots towards representing ParalympicsGB at Tokyo 2020.

The Tennis Foundation organised festival at this world class and fully accessible venue on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be led by experienced coaches who will take participants through the basics of wheelchair tennis and organise informal competitions.

Ticket2Tokyo aims to attract new players of all ability levels to play wheelchair tennis in a fun and social environment.

Players who have shown potential will then be invited to the next stage of the Ticket2Tokyo programme. The best players have the opportunity to progress all the way to representing their country.

Richard Love, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre Manager said: “We hope to welcome lots of new players from across the region here for the Ticket2Tokyo event to try out wheelchair tennis.

“It’s a great chance to try out a new sport with the added excitement of the chance of progressing to play for Team GB. We have wheelchair tennis sessions here every Thursday night and I know a lot of these players are also looking forward to trying out.”

David Hardman, Tennis Foundation Disability Development Manager for London said: “We are delighted to work with Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre to host the Ticket2Tokyo wheelchair tennis festival. It is a great opportunity for people to come along and try out the sport in a fun and social environment.

“One of the best things about wheelchair tennis is that it’s open to anyone with a physical disability and you don’t need to use a chair in your daily life to be able to play the sport.

“Hopefully the recent success of British players Jordanne Whiley and Gordon Reid will inspire people to come along and pick up a racket.”

Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre has wheelchair tennis sessions for players of all standard every Thursday night between 18:00 and 20:00 on the indoor tennis courts that are the same standard as those used in the US Open.

These sessions are supported by the Tennis Foundation and Lawn Tennis Association and led by expert coaches. All equipment is provided including sports chairs, racquets and tennis balls.

Wheelchair tennis players are allowed two bounces of the ball and can play against other wheelchair tennis players, as well as alongside or against non-disabled friends and family.